'This is the moment:' Boys and Men of Color summit tackles tough issues

STOCKTON - Wanting more for the next generation, a three-day summit this week is tackling the challenges facing boys and men of color.

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By Kevin Parrish

recordnet.com

By Kevin Parrish

Posted Apr. 5, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 5, 2013 at 11:34 AM

By Kevin Parrish

Posted Apr. 5, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 5, 2013 at 11:34 AM

Today's summit

• Theme: Reclaiming our youth.• Purpose: Inspiring and guiding young people on the institutions that serve them, understanding alternative outcomes, developing a commi...

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Today's summit

• Theme: Reclaiming our youth.

• Purpose: Inspiring and guiding young people on the institutions that serve them, understanding alternative outcomes, developing a commitment to conversation.

• Time and place: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Raymond Great Hall, University of the Pacific.

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STOCKTON - Wanting more for the next generation, a three-day summit this week is tackling the challenges facing boys and men of color.

"I want to equip my son to live in this community," said Shani A. Richards, a pastor's daughter and a representative of Health Plan of San Joaquin. "We have to go above and beyond to the lofty goals of feeling safe, being respected and finding a place of honor where we all matter."

Richards was one of two people to introduce the Boys and Men of Color Stockton Summit.

"Why Stockton? Why now?" she asked Thursday. "We cannot wait any longer. This is the time. This is the moment."

The event, co-hosted by Fathers & Families of San Joaquin and by University of the Pacific's Enough is Enough Campaign, opened in downtown Stockton and was aimed at community leaders and policymakers.

It moves today (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to Raymond Great Hall on the Pacific campus and concludes Saturday with an early morning Heart & Spirit Run in central Stockton.

Stockton City Councilman Michael Tubbs also made introductory remarks.

"I just spent eight hours talking about crime in Stockton," Tubbs said, referring to Tuesday night's marathon council meeting. "The elephant in the room was that 90 percent the homicide victims are boys and men of color."

Tubbs said those assembled should come up with policy positions "that hold my feet to the fire."

The first day, at the Youth & Family Empowerment Center, was hosted by Fathers & Families executive director Sammy Nunez and facilitated by Rubén Lizardo, deputy director for PolicyLink, an Oakland-based research institute advancing economic and social equity.